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The carbocupration reactions of heterosubstituted alkynes allow the regio- and stereoselective formation of vinyl organometallic species. N-Alkynylamides (ynamides) are particularly useful substrates for the highly regioselective carbocupration reaction, as they lead to the stereodefined formation of vinylcopper species geminated to the amide moiety. The latter species are involved in numerous synthetically useful transformations leading to valuable building blocks in organic synthesis. Here we describe in full the results of our studies related to the carbometallation reactions of N-alkynylamides.

O experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de comparar as caracteristicas de carcaca e da carne de 18 novilhas dos cruzamentos comerciais: . Nelore . Limousin (L), . Limousin . Red Angus . Nelore (LR), e . Red Angus . Nelore (RNR). As novilhas foram confinadas aos 18 meses de idade, com media de peso de 280 ± 8,4 kg, durante112 dias. Apos o abate e resfriamento das carcacas foram avaliados: rendimento (RC), area de olho de lombo (AOL), espessura de coxao (EC), cobertura de gordura (CG), comprimento de carcaca e perna, percentagem de musculo, ossos e gordura. Das amostras do Longissimus dorsi foram analisados a composicao centesimal, o pH, a perda de agua, a forca de cisalhamento (FC), o comprimento de sarcomero (CS) e o indice de fragmentacao miofibrilar (IFM). Os dados obtidos foram submetidos a analise de variancia, e as medias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de significancia. O cruzamento LR apresentou asmelhores caracteristicas de carcaca e de carne com 54,72% de RC; 27,87 cm de EC; 4,53 cm de CG; 63,65 cm2 de AOL; 64,58% de carne magra; 26,63% de perda de agua; pH de 5,72; 2,49 kg de FC; 1,91 .m de CS; e 83,59 de IFM.The experiment was carried out with the objective of comparing carcass and meat characteristics of 18 heifers from the following industrial crossbreeds: . Nelore . Limousin (L), . Limousin . Red Angus . Nelore (LR), and . Red Angus . Nelore (RNR). The heifers were confined at 18 months of age, weighing 280 } 8.4 kg, during 112 days. After slaughter and carcass cooling, the following traits were evaluated: carcass yield (CY); rib eye area (REA); cushion thickness(CT); fat thickness (FT); carcass length (CL) and leg length (LL); muscle, bone and fat percentages. From Longissimus dorsi muscle samples, the following traits were evaluated: proximate composition; pH; water loss; shear force (SF); sarcomere length (SL); myofibrilfragmentation index (MFI). The data were submitted to analysis of variance and the means were compared by Tukeyfs test at 5% significance. The LR crossbreed showed the best carcass and meat characteristics, with CY=54.72%, CT=27.87 cm, FT=4.53 cm, REA=63.65 cm2, lean meat=64.58%, water loss=26.63%, pH=5.72; SF=2.49 kg, SL=1.91 .m and MFI=83.59.

Avaliaram-se os efeitos do fornecimento de volumosos suplementares sobre o consumo, a produção e a composição físico-química do leite de cabras F1 (Boer ×Saanen). Utilizaram-se 18 cabras distribuídas em três baias, recebendo como suplemento, à vontade, silagem de sorgo, silagem de milho ou feno de amoreira com controle diário do consumo de matéria seca. A média diária para produção semanal foi calculada reunindo-se dados leiteiros em três períodos pós-parto: 1 (34 a 40 dias/7 dias); 2 [(64 a 70 dias/7 dias) + (91 a 97 dias)/7 dias)]/2; e 3 (125 a 131 dias/7 dias) e a média pontual diária do período pelas datas de referência dos períodos da média diária para produção semanal, que foi correlacionada à composição de gordura, proteína, lactose e extrato seco total e à contagem de células somáticas. Os dados semanais de acidez e densidade foram agrupados em 37, 81±13, 128 e 151±10 dias pós-parto. Com modelos mistos, o animal foi computado como aleatório e os efeitos fixos foram três suplementos e três períodos (composição, médias diárias as produções semanal e do período) ou quatro (acidez e densidade). O consumo de feno de amoreira (0,657 kg) superou o de silagem de milho (0,604 kg), que foi superior ao de silagem de sorgo (0,305 kg). No período 2, a composição em extrato etéreo foi menor, em razão do decréscimo de gordura e lactose. No período 3, a composição em proteína e a acidez aumentaram e a densidade foi maior nos períodos 1 (1,0270) e 3 (1,0277). A mamite aumentou a CCS no período 2. Para proteína, o tipo de suplemento não foi significativo, mas houve efeito da interação período pós-parto ×suplemento. As demais variáveis não foram influenciadas pelo tipo de suplemento, apenas pelo período pós-parto. O feno de amoreira aumenta o consumo suplementar pelas cabras em relação às silagens de milho e sorgo, mas não melhora as médias de produção e composição do leite. Cabras Boer ×Saanen em pastejo e sob suplementação têm bom potencial leiteiro.The effects were assessed of supplying supplementary roughage on intake, milk yield and milk physical and chemical composition in F1 (Boer ×Saanen) goats. Eighteen females were placed in three stalls, and received as ad libitum supplement sorghum silage, corn silage and mulberry hay (MHT), with daily control of dry matter intake. The average daily production per week was calculated by gathering the milk data in three post-parturition periods: 1 (34-40 days/7 days); 2 [(64-70 days/7 days) + (91-97 days)/7 days)]/2 and 3 (125-131 days/7 days). Daily spot-average of each period (DSAP) was calculated from the reference dates of average daily production per week, that was correlated with the composition of fat, protein, lactose, total solids composition and the somatic cell count. The weekly data for acidity and density were grouped in 37, 81±13, 128 and 151±10 days post-parturition. Using mixed models, the animal was computed as random and the fixed effects were three supplements and three periods (composition, average daily production per week and per period) or four (acidity and density). Mulberry hay intake (0.657 kg) was greater than corn silage (0.604 kg) that was greater than sorghum silage (0.305 kg). In period 2, the ether extract composition was smaller because of the decrease in fat and lactose. In period 3, protein and acidity increased and density was great in periods 1 (1.0270) and 3 (1.0277). Mastitis increased SCC in period 2. The type of supplement was not significant for protein, but there was post partum period ×supplement effect. The other variables were not influenced by the type of supplement, only by the post-partum period. Mulberry hay increased the supplement intake by the goats compared to corn and sorghum silage, but it did not improve milk yield = means and composition. Grazing Boer ×Saanen goats with supplementation have good milk production potential.

Foram avaliadas as características quantitativas da carcaça, os rendimentos dos cortes, a proporção dos tecidos, a composição química, o colesterol e o perfil de ácidos graxos do músculo Longissimus dorsi de cabritos ¾ Boer + ¼ Saanen, alimentados com rações contendo grãos de linhaça, girassol ou canola. Foram utilizados 24 cabritos machos não-castrados com peso inicial de 22,7 kg e 90 dias de idade, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado e abatidos com 30,9 kg de peso vivo médio e 61 dias de confinamento. As rações foram constituídas de: feno de aveia, farelo de soja, milho moído e suplemento mineral (tratamento controle, n=6) e adicionadas de grãos de linhaça (n=7), girassol (n=5) ou canola (n=6). O consumo de grãos de oleaginosas não influenciou o peso de carcaça quente, no entanto, o peso de carcaça fria foi maior nos animais alimentados com a ração controle, que apresentaram também menor perda por resfriamento. O rendimento verdadeiro e o rendimento comercial de carcaça não foram influenciados pelas rações. O rendimento dos cortes comerciais lombo e costela descoberta diferiram entre os animais alimentados com as rações contendo oleaginosas. Não houve diferença para as porcentagens de músculo, gordura e osso nem para a razão músculo:osso. A adição de grãos de canola resultou em maior teor de lipídeos no músculo Longissimus dorsi, mas não alterou o teor de colesterol. Os animais alimentados com as rações contendo grãos de canola e linhaça apresentaram menor razão ômega-6:ômega-3. Os benefícios dos grãos de oleaginosas sobre as características quantitativas da carcaça ou qualitativas do músculo em cabritos não justificam sua utilização nas rações.The quantitative characteristics of the carcass, yield of cuts, tissue proportion, chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the Longissimus dorsi muscle of ¾ Boer + ¼ Saanen goats fed rations with linseed, sunflower and canola seeds were evaluated. Twenty-four not castrated male goats initially averaging 22.7 kg and 90 days were allotted to a completely randomized design and slaughtered at 30.9 kg of body weight and 61 days of feedlot. The rations were composed of oats hay, soybean meal, ground corn and mineral supplement with the following treatments: control treatment (n=6) and in the others treatments, linseed (n=7), sunflower (n=5) and canola (n=6) seeds were added. The intake of oilseeds grains did not affect hot carcass weight; however, the cold carcass weight was greater in animals fed control diet, which also had lower weight loss by cooling. The carcass yield was not influenced by diet. The yield of loin and discovered rib commercial cuts differs among animals fed diets with oilseeds. No treatment effect on the muscle, fat and bone percentages, as well as on the muscle:bone ratio in loin, was observed. The addition of canola grains resulted in higher levels of lipids in Longissimus dorsi muscle, but did not alter the cholesterol content. Animals fed diets with grains of canola and linseed showed a lower omega-6:omega-3 ratio. The use of oilseeds do not improve the quantitative characteristics of the carcass or the quality of the muscle on goats enough to be included in the rations.

Prions, the agents causing transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, colonize the brain of hosts after oral, parenteral, intralingual, or even transdermal uptake. However, prions are not generally considered to be airborne. Here we report that inbred and crossbred wild-type mice, as well as tga20 transgenic mice overexpressing PrP(C), efficiently develop scrapie upon exposure to aerosolized prions. NSE-PrP transgenic mice, which express PrP(C) selectively in neurons, were also susceptible to airborne prions. Aerogenic infection occurred also in mice lacking B- and T-lymphocytes, NK-cells, follicular dendritic cells or complement components. Brains of diseased mice contained PrP(Sc) and transmitted scrapie when inoculated into further mice. We conclude that aerogenic exposure to prions is very efficacious and can lead to direct invasion of neural pathways without an obligatory replicative phase in lymphoid organs. This previously unappreciated risk for airborne prion transmission may warrant re-thinking on prion biosafety guidelines in research and diagnostic laboratories.

O experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de comparar as características de carcaça e da carne de 18 novilhas dos cruzamentos comerciais: ½ Nelore ½ Limousin (L), ½ Limousin ¼ Red Angus ¼ Nelore (LR), e ⅝ Red Angus ⅜ Nelore (RNR). As novilhas foram confinadas aos 18 meses de idade, com média de peso de 280 &plumsn; 8,4 kg, durante 112 dias. Após o abate e resfriamento das carcaças foram avaliados: rendimento (RC), área de olho de lombo (AOL), espessura de coxão (EC), cobertura de gordura (CG), comprimento de carcaça e perna, percentagem de músculo, ossos e gordura. Das amostras do Longissimus dorsi foram analisados a composição centesimal, o pH, a perda de água, a força de cisalhamento (FC), o comprimento de sarcômero (CS) e o índice de fragmentação miofibrilar (IFM). Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância, e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de significância. O cruzamento LR apresentou as melhores características de carcaça e de carne com 54,72% de RC; 27,87 cm de EC; 4,53 cm de CG; 63,65 cm2 de AOL; 64,58% de carne magra; 26,63% de perda de água; pH de 5,72; 2,49 kg de FC; 1,91 µm de CS; e 83,59 de IFM.

Prions have been documented in extra-neuronal and extra-lymphatic tissues of humans and various ruminants affected by Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE). The presence of prion infectivity detected in cervid and ovine blood tempted us to reason that kidney, the organ filtrating blood derived proteins, may accumulate disease associated PrP(Sc). We collected and screened kidneys of experimentally, naturally scrapie-affected and control sheep for renal deposition of PrP(Sc) from distinct, geographically separated flocks. By performing Western blot, PET blot analysis and immunohistochemistry we found intraepithelial (cortex, medulla and papilla) and occasional interstitial (papilla) deposition of PrP(Sc )in kidneys of scrapie-affected sheep. Interestingly, glomerula lacked detectable signals indicative of PrP(Sc). PrP(Sc) was also detected in kidneys of subclinical sheep, but to significantly lower degree. Depending on the stage of the disease the incidence of PrP(Sc) in kidney varied from approximately 27% (subclinical) to 73.6% (clinical) in naturally scrapie-affected sheep. Kidneys from flocks without scrapie outbreak were devoid of PrP(Sc). Here we demonstrate unexpectedly frequent deposition of high levels of PrP(Sc) in ovine kidneys of various flocks. Renal deposition of PrP(Sc) is likely to be a pre-requisite enabling prionuria, a possible co-factor of horizontal prion-transmission in sheep.

Abstract Background Animal mitochondrial introns are rare. In sponges and cnidarians they have been found in the cox 1 gene of some spirophorid and homosclerophorid sponges, as well as in the cox 1 and nad 5 genes of some Hexacorallia. Their sporadic distribution has raised a debate as to whether these mobile elements have been vertically or horizontally transmitted among their hosts. The first sponge found to possess a mitochondrial intron was a spirophorid sponge from the Tetillidae family. To better understand the mode of transmission of mitochondrial introns in sponges, we studied cox 1 intron distribution among representatives of this family. Results Seventeen tetillid cox 1 sequences were examined. Among these sequences only six were found to possess group I introns. Remarkably, three different forms of introns were found, named introns 714, 723 and 870 based on their different positions in the cox 1 alignment. These introns had distinct secondary structures and encoded LAGLIDADG ORFs belonging to three different lineages. Interestingly, sponges harboring the same intron form did not always form monophyletic groups, suggesting that their introns might have been transferred horizontally. To evaluate whether the introns were vertically or horizontally transmitted in sponges and cnidarians we used a host parasite approach. We tested for co-speciation between introns 723 (the introns with the highest number of sponge representatives) and their nesting cox 1 sequences. Reciprocal AU tests indicated that the intron and cox 1 tree are significantly different, while a likelihood ratio test was not significant. A global test of co-phylogeny had significant results; however, when cnidarian sequences were analyzed separately the results were not significant. Conclusions The co-speciation analyses thus suggest that a vertical transmission of introns in the ancestor of sponges and cnidarians, followed by numerous independent losses, cannot solely explain the current distribution of metazoan group I introns. An alternative scenario that includes horizontal gene transfer events appears to be more suitable to explain the incongruence between the intron 723 and the cox 1 topologies. In addition, our results suggest that three different intron forms independently colonized the cox 1 gene of tetillids. Among sponges, the Tetillidae family seems to be experiencing an unusual number of intron insertions.

Carbocupration of α-heterosubstituted alkynes leads to the formation of stereodefined functionalized vinyl copper species as single isomer. Recent advances in the field show that a simple pre-association of the organometallic derivative with an additional polar functional group in the vicinity of the reaction center may completely change the stereochemical outcome of the reaction. Representative examples are given in this mini-review.

Abstract Background The mitochondrial genome of Metazoa is usually a compact molecule without introns. Exceptions to this rule have been reported only in corals and sea anemones (Cnidaria), in which group I introns have been discovered in the cox1 and nad5 genes. Here we show several lines of evidence demonstrating that introns can also be found in the mitochondria of sponges (Porifera). Results A 2,349 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cox1 gene was sequenced from the sponge Tetilla sp. (Spirophorida). This fragment suggests the presence of a 1143 bp intron. Similar to all the cnidarian mitochondrial introns, the putative intron has group I intron characteristics. The intron is present in the cox1 gene and encodes a putative homing endonuclease. In order to establish the distribution of this intron in sponges, the cox1 gene was sequenced from several representatives of the demosponge diversity. The intron was found only in the sponge order Spirophorida. A phylogenetic analysis of the COI protein sequence and of the intron open reading frame suggests that the intron may have been transmitted horizontally from a fungus donor. Conclusion Little is known about sponge-associated fungi, although in the last few years the latter have been frequently isolated from sponges. We suggest that the horizontal gene transfer of a mitochondrial intron was facilitated by a symbiotic relationship between fungus and sponge. Ecological relationships are known to have implications at the genomic level. Here, an ecological relationship between sponge and fungus is suggested based on the genomic analysis.

Abstract: In order to evaluate the biomedical potential of three-dimensional chitinous scaffolds of poriferan origin, chondrocyte culturing experiments were performed. It was shown for the first time that freshly isolated chondrocytes attached well to the chitin scaffold and synthesized an extracellular matrix similar to that found in other cartilage tissue engineering constructs. Chitin scaffolds also supported deposition of a proteoglycan-rich extracellular matrix of chondrocytes seeded bioconstructs in an in vivo environment. We suggest that chitin sponge scaffolds, apart from the demonstrated biomedical applications, are highly optimized structures for use as filtering systems, templates for biomineralization as well as metallization in order to produce catalysts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The conceptual/preliminary design of supersonic jet configurations requires multidisciplinary analyses tools, which are able to provide a level of flexibility that permits the exploration of large areas of the design space. High-fidelity analysis for each discipline is desired for credible results; however, the corresponding computational cost can be prohibitively expensive, often limiting the ability to make drastic modifications to the aircraft configuration in question. Our work has progressed in this area, and we have introduced a truly hybrid, multifidelity approach in multidisciplinary analyses and demonstrated, in previous work, its application to the design optimization of a lowboom supersonic business jet. In this paper, we extend our multifidelity approach to the design procedure and present a two-level design of a supersonic business-jet configuration, in which we combine a conceptual low-fidelity optimization tool with a hierarchy of flow solvers of increasing fidelity and advanced adjoint-based sequential quadratic programming optimization approaches. In this work, we focus on the aerodynamic performance aspects alone: no attempt is made to reduce the acoustic signature. The results show that this particular combination of modeling and design techniques is quite effective for our design problem and the ones in general and that high-fidelity aerodynamic shape optimization techniques for complex configurations (such as the adjoint method) can be effectively used within the context of a truly multidisciplinary design environment. Detailed configuration results of our optimizations are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sponge Tetilla sp. (Tetractinomorpha: Tetillidae) is a common species in the eastern Mediterranean. This sponge inhabits four different habitat types differing in wave impact and irradiance levels. Two of these habitats (a shallow cave and deep water) are characterized by relatively calm water, whereas the other two (shallow exposed site and tide pools) are in turbulent water with high energy flow. The present study examined the influence of physical (depth, illumination and water motion) and biotic factors on morphology, skeletal plasticity and reproductive traits among the four spatially separated populations. Sponges from tidal pools had significantly larger body volume than sponges from deep water and from shallow caves (ANOVA: tidal-deep P<0.0001; tidal-shallow caves P<0.05). Sponges from exposed habitats were significantly larger than deep-water sponges (ANOVA: P=0.01). In addition, individuals from tide pools and from the exposed habitat had a significantly higher proportion of structural silica than sponges from the calmer deep water and from the cave sites. Oxea spicules in sponges from the calm habitats were significantly shorter than in those from the tidal pools and the exposed habitats. The percentage of spicules out of a sponge’s dry weight in individuals transplanted from deep (calm) to shallow (turbulent) water significantly increased by 21.9±12.9%. The new spicule percentage did not differ significantly from that of sponges originally from shallow water. Oocyte diameter differed significantly between habitats. The maximal size of mature eggs was found in deep-water sponges in June (97±5 μm). In the shallow habitats, a smaller maximal oocyte diameter was found in the cave, in May (56.5±3 μm). Furthermore, oocyte density in shallow-water sponges was highest in May and decreased in June (with 88.2±9 and 19.3±9 oocytes mm−2, respectively). At the same time (June), oocyte density of deep-water sponges had just reached its maximum (155±33.7 oocytes mm−2). The difference in oocyte size and density between deep- and shallow-water individuals indicates an earlier gamete release in the shallow sponge population. The results suggest that plasticity in skeletal design of this sponge indicates a trade off between spicule production and investment in reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Marine sponges are a rich source of bioactive metabolites that can potentially be used as lead compounds to treat various human diseases. Due to the difficulty in obtaining a steady supply of such metabolites, few of these compounds have reached the clinical trials stage. Sponge sea ranching is one of the most promising methods to overcome this “supply problem”. The Red Sea sponge Negombata magnifica is a potential source of the cytotoxin, latrunculin B (lat-B). The aim of the research was to compare the effect of different sea ranching culture methods on N. magnifica growth and survival rates and to identify factors that might enhance these rates. Since the ultimate goal of the project is to produce bioactive metabolites, we measured the lat-B concentration in the sponge tissues. Ninety-eight fragments were cut from nine different individuals and attached to PVC plates or threaded on fishing lines. The PVC-attached sponges were fastened to plastic nets and the threaded sponges were suspended on horizontal ropes. Each of these treatments was stocked at 10 or 20 m depth. Within 177 days, the sponges’ average size increased from 11.6±0.7 to 24.5±2 gr and the survival weighted mean of all treatments was 71.4%. The specific growth rate (SGR) of sponges that were suspended on nylon threads was significantly higher (P&#60;0.05) than the SGR of sponges that were attached to the net (0.9±0.08% day−1 and 0.5±0.05% day−1, respectively). No significant difference (P>0.05) in growth rate was found between the two stocking depths. Fouling organisms significantly (p&#60;0.05) reduced the sponge SGR compared to that of sponges grown free of fouling organisms (0.26±0.07% day−1 and 0.55±0.09% day−1, respectively). The amount of latrunculin B found within body of sponges cultured for a year in the sea ranching system (1.2±0.16 mg lat-B gr dry matter sponge−1) was higher than the concentration previously reported for this species (0.35 mg lat-B gr dry matter sponge−1). The present results demonstrate that N. magnifica could be cultured in sea ranching systems for the production of lat-B with relatively good survival and growth rates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In previous laboratory investigations, we have identified enhanced cognition and reduced stress in parous rats, which are likely adaptations in mothers needing to efficiently exploit resources to maintain, protect and provision their immature offspring. Here, in a series of seven behavioral tests on rats, we examined a natural interface between cognition and resource gathering: predation. Experiment 1 compared predatory behavior (toward crickets) in age-matched nulliparous mothers (NULLs) and postpartum lactating mothers (LACTs), revealing a highly significant enhancement of predation in LACT females (mean = ~ 65 s in LACTs, vs. ~ 270 s in NULLs). Experiment 2 examined the possibility that LACTs, given their increased metabolic rate, were hungrier, and thus more motivated to hunt; doubling the length of time of food deprivation in NULLs did not decrease their predatory latencies. Experiments 3–5, which examined sensory regulation of the effect, indicated that olfaction (anosmia), audition (blockade with white noise), and somatosensation (trimming the vibrissae) appear to play little role in the behavioral enhancement observed in the LACTs; Experiment 6 examined the possibility that visual augmentations may facilitate the improvements in predation; testing LACTs in a 0-lux environment eliminated the behavioral advantage ( increasing their latencies from ~ 65 s to ~ 212 s), which suggests that temporary augmentation to the visual system may be important, and with hormone-neural alterations therein a likely candidate for further study. In contrast, testing NULLS in the 0-lux environment had the opposite effect, reducing their latency to catch the cricket (from ~ 270 s to ~ 200 s). Finally, Experiment 7 examined the development of predatory behavior in Early-pregnant (PREG), Mid-PREG, and Late-PREG females. Here, we observed a significant enhancement of predation in Mid-PREG and Late-PREG females – at a time when maternity-associated bodily changes would be expected to diminish predation ability – relative to NULLs. Therefore, as with the increasing reports of enhancements to the maternal brain, it is apparent that meaningful behavioral adaptations occur that likewise promote the survival of the mother and her infants at a crucial stage of their lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cladopsammia gracilis (Dendrophylliidae), an ahermatypic coral inhabits the northern Red Sea. Two color morphs (pink and orange) are found aggregated in caves devoid of hermatypic corals, associated with crustose coralline algae (CCA). Sequencing the rDNA ITS region revealed a separate clustering of members of each color morph. Both morphs grow in shallow waters, with orange corals limited to the upper 4 m, while some pink coral aggregates thrive deeper than 30 m. Planulae were released between June and December. Pink planulae treated with antibiotics and exposed at different intervals to CCA, were competent and metamorphosed even 110 days after release. Maximal competency period for orange planulae was 70 days. All planulae were enhanced to metamorphose in presence of CCA. The mean age at metamorphosis of pink and orange planulae treated with CCA differed significantly. Most orange planulae settled directly on the CCA while most pink planulae settled on the wall of the experiment vial. The morphs differed significantly in the calyx cross-section area of primary polyps. Despite being considered a single species according to skeletal based taxonomy, the significant ecological and molecular differences between pink and orange C. gracilis specimens suggest that they may belong to separate species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates whether the scarcity of zooxanthellate sponge in unshaded areas of shallower waters in the Red Sea is linked to the failure of photosymbionts to adapt to high irradiances. Patterns of rapid light curves during the adaptation time of sponges; Adaptability of photosymbionts to various irradiances; Relationship between the photosynthetic light responses of the zooxanthellae and the ambient light to which various hosts are naturally exposed.

Recent neuroimaging and eye-tracking studies have suggested that children with autism exhibit more variable and idiosyncratic brain responses and eye movements than typically developing (TD) children. Here, we extended this research to pupillometry recordings. We successfully acquired pupillometry recordings from 111 children (74 with autism), 4.5-years-old on average, who viewed three 90 s movies, twice. We extracted their pupillary time-course for each movie, capturing their stimulus evoked pupillary responses. We then computed the correlation between the time-course of each child and those of all others in their group as well as between each autistic child and all children in the TD group. This yielded an average inter-subject correlation value per child, representing how similar their pupillary responses were to all others in their group or the comparison group. Children with autism exhibited significantly weaker inter-subject correlations than TD children in all comparisons. These differences were independent of previously reported differences in gaze inter-subject correlations and were largest in responses to a naturalistic movie containing footage of a social interaction between two TD children. The results demonstrate the utility of measuring the idiosyncrasy of pupil regulation, which can be performed with passive viewing of movies even by young children with co-occurring intellectual disability. These findings reveal that a considerable number of children with autism have significantly less stable, idiosyncratic pupil regulation than TD children, indicative of more variable, weakly regulated, underlying neural activity., (© 2024 The Author(s). Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Oxygen deprivation during embryonic development can permanently remodel the vertebrate heart, often causing cardiovascular abnormalities in adulthood. While this phenomenon is mostly damaging, recent evidence suggests developmental hypoxia produces stress-tolerant phenotypes in some ectothermic vertebrates. Embryonic common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) subjected to chronic hypoxia display improved cardiac anoxia tolerance after hatching, which is associated with altered Ca2+ homeostasis in heart cells (cardiomyocytes). Here, we examined the possibility that changes in Ca2+ cycling, through the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), underlie the developmentally programmed cardiac phenotype of snapping turtles. We investigated this hypothesis by isolating cardiomyocytes from juvenile turtles that developed in either normoxia (21% O2; 'N21') or chronic hypoxia (10% O2; 'H10') and subjected the cells to anoxia/reoxygenation, in either the presence or absence of SR Ca2+-cycling inhibitors. We simultaneously measured cellular shortening, intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), and intracellular pH (pHi). Under normoxic conditions, N21 and H10 cardiomyocytes shortened equally, but H10 Ca2+ transients (Δ[Ca2+]i) were twofold smaller than those of N21 cells, and SR inhibition only decreased N21 shortening and Δ[Ca2+]i. Anoxia subsequently depressed shortening, Δ[Ca2+]i and pHi in control N21 and H10 cardiomyocytes, yet H10 shortening and Δ[Ca2+]i recovered to pre-anoxic levels, partly due to enhanced myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity. SR blockade abolished the recovery of anoxic H10 cardiomyocytes and potentiated decreases in shortening, Δ[Ca2+]i and pHi. Our novel results provide the first evidence of developmental programming of SR function and demonstrate that developmental hypoxia confers a long-lasting, superior anoxia-tolerant cardiac phenotype in snapping turtles, by modifying SR function and enhancing myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2024. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

Objectives: The symptoms of herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) infections might be severe and persistent in immunocompromised patients in whom they reactivate at a high frequency. The development of Acyclovir (ACV) resistant strains due to long-term treatment with antiviral agents in those patients is not uncommon. The aim of the present study was to assess the virucidal effect of commercially available mouthwashes against ACV-resistant HSV-1 strains., Materials and Methods: Two acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 strains were exposed for 30 s to essential oil-based (Listerine Fresh Burst® and Listerine Zero®), chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% (Hexidyl®) and povidone-iodine 7.5% (Betadine Gargle®) mouthwashes. Loss of virus infectivity was determined by means of plaque reduction assays in a cell culture system., Results: All 4 of the tested solutions significantly reduced virus infectivity, with the essential oil-based and povidone-iodine mouthwashes being slightly more efficacious, compared to chlorhexidine., Conclusion: The findings of this analysis revealed that the tested oral rinses demonstrated in-vitro antiviral activity against ACV-resistant HSV. Comparative clinical trials are required to establish the clinical effectiveness of daily use of oral rinses in reducing the appearance of oral HSV lesions in immunocompromised patients., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Marine sponges are well-known for hosting rich microbial communities. Sponges are the most prolific source of marine bioactive compounds, which are frequently synthesized by their associated microbiota. Calyx nicaeensis is an endemic Mediterranean sponge with scarce information regarding its (bioactive) secondary metabolites. East Mediterranean specimens of mesophotic C. nicaeensis have never been studied. Moreover, no research has inspected its associated bacteria. Thus, we studied the sponge's bacterial diversity and examined bacterial interspecific interactions in search of a promising antibacterial candidate. Such novel antimicrobial agents are needed since extensive antibiotic use leads to bacterial drug resistance. Bacteria cultivation yielded 90 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). A competition assay enabled the testing of interspecific interactions between the cultured OTUs. The highest-ranked antagonistic bacterium, identified as Paenisporosarcina indica (previously never found in marine or cold habitats), was mass cultured, extracted, and separated using size exclusion and reversed-phase chromatographic methods, guided by antibacterial activity. A pure compound was isolated and identified as 3-oxy-anteiso-C 15 -fatty acid-lichenysin. Five additional active compounds await final cleaning; however, they are lichenysins and surfactins. These are the first antibacterial compounds identified from either the C. nicaeensis sponge or P. indica bacterium. It also revealed that the genus Bacillus is not an exclusive producer of lichenysin and surfactin.

Importance: Stereotypical motor movements (SMMs) are a form of restricted and repetitive behavior, which is a core symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Current quantification of SMM severity is extremely limited, with studies relying on coarse and subjective caregiver reports or laborious manual annotation of short video recordings., Objective: To assess the utility of a new open-source AI algorithm that can analyze extensive video recordings of children and automatically identify segments with heterogeneous SMMs, thereby enabling their direct and objective quantification., Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study included 241 children (aged 1.4 to 8.0 years) with ASD. Video recordings of 319 behavioral assessments carried out at the Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research in Israel between 2017 and 2021 were extracted. Behavioral assessments included cognitive, language, and autism diagnostic observation schedule, 2nd edition (ADOS-2) assessments. Data were analyzed from October 2020 to May 2024., Exposures: Each assessment was recorded with 2 to 4 cameras, yielding 580 hours of video footage. Within these extensive video recordings, manual annotators identified 7352 video segments containing heterogeneous SMMs performed by different children (21.14 hours of video)., Main Outcomes and Measures: A pose estimation algorithm was used to extract skeletal representations of all individuals in each video frame and was trained an object detection algorithm to identify the child in each video. The skeletal representation of the child was then used to train an SMM recognition algorithm using a 3 dimensional convolutional neural network. Data from 220 children were used for training and data from the remaining 21 children were used for testing., Results: Among 319 behavioral assessment recordings from 241 children (172 [78%] male; mean [SD] age, 3.97 [1.30] years), the algorithm accurately detected 92.53% (95% CI, 81.09%-95.10%) of manually annotated SMMs in our test data with 66.82% (95% CI, 55.28%-72.05%) precision. Overall number and duration of algorithm-identified SMMs per child were highly correlated with manually annotated number and duration of SMMs (r = 0.8; 95% CI, 0.67-0.93; P < .001; and r = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.74-0.96; P < .001, respectively)., Conclusions and Relevance: This study suggests the ability of an algorithm to identify a highly diverse range of SMMs and quantify them with high accuracy, enabling objective and direct estimation of SMM severity in individual children with ASD.

A novel bacterium, designated as MI-G T , was isolated from marine sponge Diacarnu s erythraeanus . Cells of strain MI-G T are Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, and rod or coccoid-ovoid in shape. MI-G T is able to grow at 10-40 °C (optimum, 28 °C), with 1.0-8.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 4.0%), and at pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum, pH 8.0). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MI-G T shows 98.35, 97.32 and 97.25% similarity to those of Microbulbifer variabilis Ni-2088 T , Microbulbifer maritimus TF-17 T and Microbulbifer echini AM134 T , respectively. Phylogenetic analysis also exhibits that strain MI-G T falls within a clade comprising members of the genus Microbulbifer (class Gammaproteobacteria ). The genome size of strain MI-G T is 4478124 bp with a G+C content of 54.51 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain MI-G T and other type strains are 71.61-76.44% (ANIb), 83.27-84.36% (ANIm) and 13.4-18.7% (dDDH), respectively. These values are significantly lower than the recommended threshold values for bacterial species delineation. Percentage of conserved proteins and average amino acid identity values among the genomes of strain MI-G T and other closely related species are 52.04-59.13% and 67.47-77.21%, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids of MI-G T are composed of summed feature 8 (C 18 : 1 ω 7 c or C 18 : 1 ω 6 c ), iso-C 11 : 0 3-OH, iso-C 15 : 0 , C 16 : 0 , and summed feature 9 (C 17 : 1 iso ω 9 c or C 16 : 0 10-methyl). The polar lipids of MI-G T mainly consist of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, aminolipid, and two glycolipids. The major respiratory quinone is Q-8. Based on differential phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strain MI-G T is considered to represent a novel species of genus Microbulbifer , for which the name Microbulbifer spongiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MI-G T (=MCCC 1K07826 T =KCTC 8081 T ).

Background: Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) after atrial fibrillation (AF) electrical cardioversion (ECV) have been reported., Objective: We sought to assess incidence, timing, and clinical characteristics of patients with post-AF ECV-related VAs., Methods: Multicenter observational retrospective study including 13 centers, incorporating patients with VAs or sudden cardiac death within 10 days of ECV. The total number of ECVs performed during the collecting period was provided. Patients with pre-ECV VAs were excluded., Results: Twenty-three patients with VAs were identified out of 11,897 AF ECVs performed in 13 centers during a median 2-year period, suggesting post-ECV VA incidence of 0.2%. The patients' mean age was 71 ± 11 years, and 13 (56.5%) were female. AF duration prior to ECV was 71 ± 54 days. Congestive heart failure and hypertension were both found in 17 (74%) patients. QT-prolonging drugs were used by 17 (74%). Index VA occurred 28.5 (interquartile range 5.5-72) hours post-ECV, including torsades de pointes, nonsustained polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, and sudden cardiac death in 17 (74%), 5 (22%), and 1 (4%) patient, respectively. Post-ECV heart rate was slower and QT duration longer compared with pre-ECV (57 ± 11 beats/min vs 113 ± 270 beats/min; P < .001; QT duration 482 ± 61 ms vs 390 ± 60 ms; P < .001). VAs reoccurred in 9 (39%) patients, 11 (interquartile range 3-13.5) hours post-index VA. Two patients had an arrhythmic death within 72 hours post-ECV., Conclusion: VAs post-AF ECV are rare, occur within 3 to 72 hours post-ECV, and are potentially fatal. Our study gives a signal of caution favoring prolonged monitoring in small subset of patients as congestive heart failure patients treated with class III antiarrhythmic drugs, with post-ECV bradycardia, especially (but not exclusively) when QT prolongation noted., (© 2024 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Molybdenum is an essential micronutrient, but because of its toxicity at high concentrations, its accumulation in living organisms has not been widely demonstrated. In this study, we report that the marine sponge Theonella conica accumulates exceptionally high levels of molybdenum (46,793 micrograms per gram of dry weight) in a wide geographic distribution from the northern Red Sea to the reefs of Zanzibar, Indian Ocean. The element is found in various sponge body fractions and correlates to selenium. We further investigated the microbial composition of the sponge and compared it to its more studied congener, Theonella swinhoei . Our analysis illuminates the symbiotic bacterium Entotheonella sp. and its role in molybdenum accumulation. Through microscopic and analytical methods, we provide evidence of intracellular spheres within Entotheonella sp. that exhibit high molybdenum content, further unraveling the intricate mechanisms behind molybdenum accumulation in this sponge species and its significance in the broader context of molybdenum biogeochemical cycling.

Background: Sleep disturbances are frequently reported in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and are associated with the severity of co-occurring symptoms. This study's aim was to examine the extent of healthcare utilization and clinical outcomes associated with sleep disturbances in children with ASD., Study Design: A retrospective, cross-sectional study of 541 children with ASD from the Azrieli National Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research (ANCAN) whose parents completed the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). Children with a total CSHQ score ≥ 48 were defined as having sleep disturbances. Sociodemographic characteristics, ASD diagnostic measures, chronic co-occurring conditions, medication usage, hospitalizations, visits to the emergency room (ER), and visits to specialists were compared in ASD children with and without sleep disturbances. Multivariate logistic regression models were then used to assess the independent association of sleep disturbances with clinical characteristics and healthcare utilization., Results: Of the 541 children with ASD, 257 (47.5%) had sleep disturbances. Children with sleep disturbances exhibited higher rates of multiple (≥ 3) co-occurring conditions (19.1% vs. 12.7%; p = 0.0414) and prescribed medications (45.5% vs. 32.7%; p = 0.0031) than other children. Finally, ASD children with sleep disturbances were 1.72 and 2.71 times more likely to visit the ER and be hospitalized than their counterparts (aOR = 1.72; 99%CI = 1.01-2.95; and aOR = 2.71; 99%CI = 1.10-6.67, respectively)., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that sleep disturbances are associated with greater healthcare utilization among children with ASD. Further studies could examine whether treating sleep disturbances in children with ASD yields additional clinical benefits beyond improvements in sleep., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The current guidelines advocate prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for all patients with symptomatic heart failure (HF) with low left ventricular ejection fraction. Because many patients will never use their device, a score delineating subgroups with differential ICD benefit is crucial. We aimed to evaluate the MADIT-II-based Risk Stratification Score (MRSS) feasibility to delineate the ICD survival benefit in a nationwide registry of patients with HF with prophylactic ICDs. Accordingly, all Israeli patients with HF with prophylactic ICD/cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators were categorized into MRSS-based risk subgroups. The study end points included overall mortality, sustained ventricular arrhythmia (VA), and a competing risk of VA (potential preventable arrhythmic death, where ICD could benefit survival) versus nonarrhythmic death. Potential ICD survival benefit was estimated by the area between these cumulative incidence curves. In 2,177 patients with HF implanted prophylactic device, 189 patients (8.7%) had VA and 316 (14.5%) died during a median follow-up of 2.9 years. The MRSS risk subgroups were significantly associated with overall mortality (p <0.001) and weakly with VA (p = 0.3). The competing risk analysis of VA versus nonarrhythmic death revealed a significantly shorter duration (p <0.001) and smaller magnitude of ICD survival benefit with increased risk subgroups, yielding an estimated 76, 60, 38, and 0 life days gained from prophylactic ICD implant during a 5-year follow-up for the MRSS low-, intermediate-, high-, and very high-risk subgroups, respectively (p for trend <0.05). In conclusion, MRSS use in a nationwide registry of patients with ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy, revealed subgroups with differing ICD survival benefit, suggesting it could help evaluate prophylactic ICD survival benefit., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no competing interest to declare., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) cases increases every year in Denmark and the proportion of CPE-positive cases with a travel history decreases. Several epidemiological links show transmission in Danish healthcare setting indicating infection prevention and control challenges and raising questions about the Danish CPE screening protocol. The aim of this review was to identify additional risk factors to those described in the Danish CPE-screening protocol in order to detect the Danish CPE-positive patients and thereby reduce the risk of transmission and outbreaks. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library during March 2022. A total of 1487 articles were screened, and 19 studies were included. Retrieved studies dealt with patients with laboratory-confirmed CPE (colonization and/or infection) and associated risk factors. Antimicrobial therapy, especially broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents, prior or current hospitalization of approximately one week in ICU and 20-28 days in other wards and travel history with or without hospitalization abroad were significant risk factors associated with CPE acquisition. Comorbidities and invasive procedures were identified as risk factors, but without identifying specific comorbidities or invasive procedures associated with risk for CPE-acquisition. This study suggests the need to develop an additional algorithm for CPE-screening in Denmark. In addition to risk-based screening on admission, screening of inpatients should be considered. The screening protocol might include screening of inpatients with comorbidities who are hospitalized >1 week in ICU or >3 weeks in other wards and who have previously received or currently are receiving antibiotic treatment. Further research is needed to develop a new CPE-screening algorithm., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Previous studies have reported that ASD children with more severe symptoms are diagnosed earlier. However, previous studies in community settings have mostly relied on retrospective parental reports without the use of quantitative standardized test scores. Here, we evaluated the association of language, cognitive, and ASD severity standardized scores with the age of diagnosis in 1-6-year-old children diagnosed in a public healthcare setting. The results revealed that language scores were the strongest variable associated with the age of diagnosis, explaining ~ 30% of the variability across children. Indeed, all children diagnosed before 30-months of age exhibited moderate-to-severe language delays. These results further substantiate the prominence of language delay as a highly visible symptom associated with earlier ASD diagnosis in community clinical settings., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: Melatonin is considered an effective pharmacological treatment for the sleep disturbances that are reported in > 50% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, real-life data about the long-term course and effectiveness of melatonin treatment in children with ASD is lacking., Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we assessed the adherence to melatonin treatment and parents' perspective of its effect on sleep quality and daytime behavior in children with ASD via a parental phone survey of children in the Azrieli National Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research (ANCAN) database. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the effect of key demographic and clinical characteristics on treatment adherence., Results: Melatonin was recommended for ~ 8% of children in the ANCAN database. These children were characterized by more severe symptoms of autism. The median adherence time for melatonin treatment exceeded 88 months, with the most common reason for discontinuation being a lack of effectiveness (14%). Mild side-effects were reported in 14% of children, and 86%, 54%, and 45% experienced improvements in sleep onset, sleep duration and night awakenings, respectively. Notably, melatonin also improved the daytime behaviors of > 28% of the children. Adherence to treatment was independently associated with improvements in night awakenings and educational functioning (aHR = 0.142, 95%CI = 0.036-0.565; and aHR = 0.195, 95%CI = 0.047-0.806, respectively)., Conclusions: Based on parents' report, melatonin is a safe and effective treatment that improves both sleep difficulties and daily behavior of children with ASD., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

The undesired spontaneous deposition and accumulation of matter on surfaces, better known as fouling, is a problematic and often inevitable process plaguing a variety of industries. This detrimental process can be reduced or even prevented by coating surfaces with a dense layer of end-grafted polymer: a polymer brush. Producing such polymer brushes via adsorption presents a very attractive technique, as large surfaces can be coated in a quick and simple manner. Recently, we introduced a simple and scalable two-step adsorption strategy to fabricate block copolymer-based antifouling coatings on hydrophobic surfaces. This two-step approach involved the initial adsorption of hydrophobic-charged diblock copolymer micelles acting as a primer, followed by the complexation of oppositely charged-antifouling diblock copolymers to form the antifouling brush coating. Here, we significantly improve this adsorption-based zipper brush via systematic tuning of various parameters, including pH, salt concentration, and polymer design. This study reveals several key outcomes. First of all, increasing the hydrophobic/hydrophilic block ratio of the anchoring polymeric micelles ( i.e. , decreasing the hydrophilic corona) promotes adsorption to the surface, resulting in the most densely packed, uniform, and hydrophilic primer layers. Second, around a neutral pH and at a low salt concentration (1 mM), complexation of the weak polyelectrolyte (PE) blocks results in brushes with the best antifouling efficacy. Moreover, by tuning the ratio between these PE blocks, the brush density can be increased, which is also directly correlated to the antifouling performance. Finally, switching to different antifouling blocks can increase the internal density or strengthen the bound hydration layer of the brush, leading to an additional enhancement of the antifouling properties (>99% lysozyme, 87% bovine serum albumin)., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Lay Abstract: Today, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are placed in mainstream or special education settings somewhat arbitrarily with no clear clinical recommendations. Here, we compared changes in core ASD symptoms, as measured by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd edition (ADOS-2) clinical assessment, across ASD preschool children placed in special or mainstream education. Longitudinal changes in ADOS-2 scores did not differ significantly across settings over a 1- to 2-year period. While some children improved in core ASD symptoms, others deteriorated in both settings. This highlights the need to identify specific criteria for establishing meaningful placement recommendations.